Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, and the 15 best HBO shows ever, ranked
9. Sex and the City
Who doesn’t love Sex and the City? I grew up watching re-runs on TV, desperately wanting to become a writer in New York City. The comedy series ran for six seasons between 1998 and 2004 and spawned two movies, a prequel show, and a sequel show, And Just Like That…, which is currently airing its second season on Max.
Created by Darren Star, Sex and the City is based on the 1996 book of the same name by Candace Bushnell and follows the lives of four women navigating their careers, friendships, and of course, dating, in the Big Apple. The show’s candid discussions about sex and relationships are fantastic, and it’s also been applauded for its depiction of female friendships. Even if you aren’t a New Yorker, it’s easy to relate to the women.
Sex and the City has left a lasting impact on pop culture, fashion, and womanhood as a whole. The series won seven Emmy awards during its run, including awards for actresses Sarah Jessica Parker and Cynthia Nixon.
8. Euphoria
Given its popularity, there’s no doubt you at least know about Euphoria even if you haven’t watched it. The drama show was created by Sam Levinson and premiered on HBO in 2019, based on the 2012 Israeli series of the same name.
It’s no surprise Euphoria has gained a sizable fan base, given its raw depiction of teenage life and the fantastic performances the cast gives. The series tackles topics like drug addiction, sexuality, mental health, identity, and relationships while following a diverse group of characters with different experiences and perspectives.
The best part of Euphoria, apart from Zendaya, of course, is the way it presents these sensitive topics with stylized visuals and surreal sequences. It’s not often that teen shows utilize unconventional cinematography, and that’s what sets this one apart from the rest. It’s absolutely beautiful and the attention to detail is unreal.
Some might not take Euphoria seriously, but the fact that it’s got nine Emmy wins in just two seasons, with Zendaya winning the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in both 2020 and 2022, definitely speaks to the show’s high quality.